Author Archives: joyocala

As I write this we are sitting in our vehicle, returning from our nearly 72 hours trip from our daughter’s wedding in Utah.  Thankfully, the wedding is over and everything went off without a hitch as I prayed it would … Continue reading →

I know that my Florida friends will groan when they see this headline.  The weather in the south is still sultry and hot.  While here in New England, Fall is approaching and is a welcomed change to the record heat … Continue reading →

Today Lutherans remember Hildegard of Bingen (1098 – 17 September 1179). Who? I admit Hildegard is not familiar to most Christians. Until around 35 years ago or so the only people who knew much about her were church historians who … Continue reading →

            I was teaching an elementary statistics course, which could be used to satisfy a general education requirement.  The course was designed to be as non-technical as possible, and the text was very readable with few formulas.  I tried to … Continue reading →

  A black preacher had a friend whose son went off to college. The student came home for a visit and declared to his dad, “I’m not sure I believe in the things you believe anymore, like this simple, child-like faith … Continue reading →

On a recent Sunday morning, I watched two services – quite different, yet both inspirational.  It caught my attention that in the prayers, both pastors used words to this effect, “Let our congregation be a workshop of faith and love.”  … Continue reading →

Visits to my great-great aunts’ home were not often, but always memorable.  They lived in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and were maiden ladies living in their family home.  I remember vividly their stairs up to the only bathroom (glad they had indoor plumbing). The … Continue reading →

Taken from a blog Posted on September 12, 2016 A very dear friend of mine is living through the final stages of Alzheimer’s disease.   I see firsthand how this ugly disease robs a person of the very essence of life.   Our … Continue reading →

Originally posted on September 7, 2017 Last Monday was Labor Day, a time to honor those people whose work makes life possible. My family used to have a barbeque on Labor Day, but I remember how my grandfather always had to … Continue reading →

Here comes controversy. I’m going to take on Jiminy Cricket and the Disney Empire. You remember Jiminy Cricket in the cartoon Pinocchio. He sings the song, “Give a little whistle” which ends with the line “And always let your conscience … Continue reading →